“Jasper…” she tugged at the front of his lightweight cardigan.
“It’s not right for somebody like me, Carm.” He smiled suddenly and reached inside the olive green slacks he wore. “Got somethin’ for you.”
The gold charm trimmed in silver and dangling from a solid gold chain rendered Carmen speechless. She bit her lip when he swirled his index finger, silently instructing her to turn and let him link the piece about her neck.
“Jasper…it’s beautiful,” the charm was small but weighty. “This must have cost you a fortune.”
“What?” He inquired of her expression when she turned. His rich brown gaze was narrowed in suspicion.
“I’ve had money all my life, Jasper.” She patted the charm. “I’ve been at my happiest doing the simplest things and being with people who have way less than me and still get the most from life.”
Jasper leaned back on his long legs and watched her closely. “What are you tryin’ to say Carm?”
“Just that…” She batted the side of her sunflower yellow slip dress. “You don’t need money to be with me and I don’t want you resorting to…underhanded things because you feel like you have to impress me.”
Jasper’s laughter seemed to echo throughout the foyer. “Is that what you think I’m doing? Something illegal? Couldn’t be farther from the truth.” He chuckled and shook his head. “Remember me telling you about Doctor Dowd? I’m still working for him, but it’s all so outrageous and complex and well…boring.” He shrugged. “At least that’s what you’d think if I tried to explain it to you. I couldn’t bear to watch your eyes glaze over while I tried to explain cell structure and molecular mass.”
They both laughed then.
Jasper cupped Carmen’s face and nudged her forehead with his. “Just know that what we share and what I’m learning and involved in with Doctor D… I’ve never felt more complete or accepted.”
Happy then because he was; at last, happy, Carmen’s dark eyes glistened. She stood on her toes and kissed him.
Jasper kicked the front door shut and carried her upstairs.
***
Marcus raised his hands in a playful show of surrender. “I swear I’m totally clean!”
Jeff Carnes managed a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Take a seat,” he waved toward the other side of the table.
“You know how honored I am to have that position at Ramsey?” Jeff asked once the waiter had left with Marc’s drink order.
Marc frowned. “Sounds like you’re sayin’ goodbye, man.”
“Not completely but in so many words- yes.”
“What the hell does that mean, J?”
Jeff thanked the waiter who returned with Marc’s cognac and a refill on his Scotch. “Corporate law is cool, but a lil more than I bargained for and not what I went to school for.”
“No matter. You’re doin’ a hellified job.”
“Thanks man, but I feel like I’ll be burned out by the time I really get started.” Jeff leaned back in his chair and fiddled with the end of his tie. “I’ve been offered an associate’s position at Best and Monroe. They’ve never brought in a black associate and if I turn ‘em down, they may never bring in another.”
Marc sipped his drink and grimaced. “So what? You tryin’ to be some activist muthafucka now?”
“No, no nothin’ like that but it’s a chance I don’t wanna turn down. I can do a lot of good for families aside from the Ramseys.” Jeff lowered his gaze to the table. “I already talked to West and the other counselors in the legal division.”
“J…” Marc stiffened but the look in his pitch gaze was pure unease. “I need you, man.”
Jeff grinned. “I’ll offer you my services personally. I’m not abandoning you, Marc- just need a little variety, you know?”
Marcus reciprocated the grin. “I can relate,” he drawled. He leaned forward and shook hands with his old friend. “Wish you the best, man.”
***
“How much is it gonna cost to make this go away?” Damon rubbed his fingers across the dark waves of silk covering his head and tightened his grip on the receiver.
A man chuckled on the other end of the line. “It’s not us, D. But you’re damn lucky she got me when she called. Anybody else on staff would’ve run with the story lickety split.”
“Shit. Sorry Carl thanks for the update.”
“So how you gonna handle this, D?” Carlton Wadkins asked.
“How long can you stall her?”
“Not sure. The girl’s hell bent on getting paid for what she claims your brother did to her.”
“Oh he did it alright.” Damon sighed and began to pound his fist lightly against the side of his head. “I knew this shit would come back to bite us.”
“How’d y’all managed to keep this out of the courts the first time?”
“Think Carl, how else? Money.” Damon pushed away from his desk and swiveled his chair around to face the windows. “Guess we should’ve thrown a little the daughter’s way instead of shoveling it all to her sorry father who swept her rape and beating under the rug for five figures.”
Carl grunted. “I think she wants a little more than five figures, D.”
“Damn right she does…listen Carl, thanks again. I need to go figure a way to clean up another Ramsey fuck up.”
Damon dialed out to his assistant the second the call with Carl ended. “Bobbie? Get Houston on the phone.”
***
The greedy little bitch, Houston chanted the phrase over and over in his head while slamming his way out of the car and into the house. He should have never given her the time of day when she came sniffin’ around his desk for a stroke of Ramsey dick. Greedy and conniving, she threatened to expose what had been going on between them after hours in the youth division. That’s when she’d left him no choice but to teach her a lesson. Now she was back demanding more than they’d already given her shady father and boy wasn’t Damon just eating it up?
Letting out a frustrated wail, Houston kicked one of the maple cabinets holding he and Daphne’s combined record collection. He took a seat and massaged the bridge of his nose for a while. He raised his head slowly then as though sensing something wasn’t quite right.
“Pris? Prissy?!” he called out to the housemaid who usually had a stiff drink waiting the minute he stepped through the door.
The drink arrived, but it was Daphne who delivered it and not the sweet housemaid he’d handpicked.
“Where’s Prissy?” Houston took the drink and settled back to his favorite chair.
“Priscilla’s gone. More accurately, I let her go.”
Houston bolted from the chair, pushing it back against the carpet. “Daphne, what the hell?”
Daphne re-tied the tassels of her robe. “The girl had absolutely no idea how to keep a house. Wherever did you find her?” She asked coyly. “She probably never even swept a room in her life- looked way too young to even know what a vacuum was. Besides…” she crinkled her nose distastefully and punched a pillow on the sofa. “Our house is way too small for a maid- nothing like Josephine’s mansion. Definitely nothing like your parents’ place. I don’t know what the hell you were thinking when you hired her Houston…”
I was thinkin’ that she could give me a damn good blow job when you’re tired or too naggy- which seems to be often lately.
Houston dragged himself to the bar and poured another glass of vodka.
“Don’t worry over it, baby. I’ll hire the next one.” Daphne hummed a little tune while she strolled from the living room.
“Shit.” Houston downed his drink.
***
“What the fuck you know ‘bout boatin’ nigga?” Marcus chuckled while lounging on the chaise he’d grown accustomed to sitting in and watching his wife prepare for bed.
Charlton Browning’s laughter rumbled with ease. “I don’t know shit, man but I can sure as hell learn. You know how much opportunity would open up to me with a fuckin’ ship at my bec
k and call?”
“Man, you crazy! You pull that off and I’ll be the first to salute and call you captain.”
“All about the money, man.” Charlton raved. “What I need is backing- a helluva lot of backing. Investors I’d give a set cut to but who’d have no ownership in the thing.”
“Well you-” Marc cut himself off when Josephine walked into the room. “Hey Charlt, lemme catch you later- this sounds like somethin’ I wouldn’t mind getting in on.”
Marc left the lounge as Josephine slid beneath the covers. He watched her while undoing his PJ bottoms and letting them fall away to reveal his toned nude form. He joined his wife in bed. When he touched her, she didn’t react in any way.
Josephine simply watched the ceiling while Marc trailed his mouth all over. He suckled and nibbled in a manner that never failed to have a woman moaning in no time.
“Dammit Josie,” he hissed after nibbling her breasts for almost two minutes. “Is this your new thing or what? Actin’ like you don’t want it?” he cupped her jaw and made her face him. “I can make you want it, you know?” He smirked sinfully upon noticing the faintest flutter of her lashes. Smoothly, he slid a finger inside her and smiled broadly when he discovered she was damp.
“Let’s see if we can get it a little wetter.” He whispered against her ear and kissed his way down her body until his mouth replaced his fingers.
R
~CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO~
Carmen’s laughter turned many heads which was usually the custom whether she was laughing or not. The youngest of the Ramsey children had grown into a stunning beauty. Carmen’s laughter then was simply in reference to the joke Jasper had just shared.
The reality of being out together like an ordinary couple, enjoying dinner and the presence of others had a lot to do with it. The fact that Jasper arranged it all to surprise her meant more than he could know. They’d even been blessed to have an especially nice waiter who stopped by their table just then to ask if they’d like more coffee.
Jasper waved it off, while Carmen patted her non-existent waistline beneath her peach slip dress.
“I couldn’t eat or drink another thing.” She said and playfully puffed out her cheeks.
“Guess we’re done, man.” Jasper reached into the small front pocket of his beige and black checkered vest. “We’ll take the bill.” He told the waiter while slapping another tip into the younger man’s hand.
The easy grin Jasper sported faded when he noticed Carmen’s expression. She was staring fixedly across the room. Jasper scanned the soft lit crowded dining area. Seeing Marc, he knew that was the cause for Carmen’s sour look.
“Small world,” he said while his warm brown eyes narrowed toward Marcus’ table. “That Josephine?”
Carmen snorted. “My brother doesn’t take his wife out unless he’s trying to impress someone.”
Jasper shrugged. “She must be a business associate.” Jasper was already losing interest in Marc’s presence.
Carmen’s laughter lilted once more. “He’s only interested in associating with women in the bedroom, Jas.”
Before Jasper could comment, he saw Carmen look down quickly and knew Marc had spotted them. Moments later, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“Good to see you Jasper.” Marcus barely glanced his friend’s way as they shook hands. His eyes were already locked on Carmen. “She’s a beauty, huh Jas? You’re a lucky guy.”
“You’re always workin’ Marc.” Jasper teased slyly to satisfy his own curiosity. “This business or pleasure?”
Marc chuckled and tugged on the charcoal suspenders beneath his suit coat. “For me, business is pleasure.”
Carmen stood then, slammed down her napkin and walked away from the table.
“’Night Marc,” Jasper’s tone was absent as he took care of the check, the waiter had just delivered and left after Carmen.
She was already halfway across the parking lot when he caught her arm. Jasper pulled her the rest of the way with him. At his car, he pressed her against the passenger door of the Impala.
“Not tonight, do you hear me Carm?” He bent to glare directly into her eyes. “You tell me why he makes you act the way you do. I may be an only child but even I know when agitation goes beyond sibling shit. Start talkin’.”
Carmen’s lashes fluttered then in what appeared to be an attempt to control anger. “Yes, it goes beyond sibling shit.” She curved her hands beneath his elbows. “It goes grotesquely beyond sibling shit and unless you want me to throw up all over your nice suit, you’ll let me leave it at that.”
***
“Dammit West,” Briselle hissed and snatched the key from her husband’s shaking hand.
“Georgia?!” Briselle was calling once the door was open and they were rushing into the apartment. “Georgia!”
“In here!”
“Jesus Georgia!” Westin cursed when the smell of vomit met them at the bathroom door.
Briselle pushed her husband out of the way while he groaned and covered his nose. Then, she went to see to Georgia who was crouched at the toilet she’d been heaving into. “Lemme guess,” she said while searching for towels in the cabinet above the commode.
“Damn that Felix Cade.” Georgia moaned seconds before another bout of nausea claimed her.
“Shut up, girl.” Briselle went to wet a small cloth at the sink. “As I recall, the man requires a bit of assistance to make this happen.”
“Never happened before…”
Briselle giggled. “Did you think you were immune, honey?”
“What the hell am I gonna do with a baby?” Georgia moaned when Briselle knelt to wipe her face with the cloth. “I never thought working was my cup of tea but I really like what West has me doing at Ramsey. Shit…” She pushed away the washcloth. “Now what am I gonna do?”
“Exactly what you’ve been doing. A baby doesn’t need to change things.” Briselle studied her fingers tapping the tights where they stretched across her knees. “A baby could actually make things even better.”
Georgia only rolled her eyes.
“Did you tell Felix?”
“For what?”
“Georgia! Don’t tell me you’re thinkin’ of not tellin’ him?”
Georgia stood and walked barefoot to the sink. “I’m not bringin’ him in on this ‘til I know what I’m gonna do.”
“What you’re gonna do?” Tiny furrows lined Briselle’s brow. Slowly, she stood. “Georgia?”
“I just haven’t decided whether…”
“What? Whether you’ll keep it?” Tears began to glisten in Briselle’s wide stare. “How can you be stupid enough to even consider doing something like that when- when a baby…A baby’s a blessing. Some people won’t even know that kind of joy and for you to just throw it away…”
“Jesus…” Georgia closed her eyes, understanding then and cursing her own insensitivity. “Bri, Bri I didn’t mean it.” She tugged her sister-in-law close. “I didn’t mean it.”
“You shouldn’t keep this from him, Georgia.” Briselle advised once they’d hugged and cried a while.
The stubborn sheen returned to Georgia’s lovely features. “I don’t know where he is half the time.” She smoothed hands across her slip and raised her chin defiantly. “I don’t know what he’s doin’ or who he’s doin’ it to.”
“Georgia-”
“I won’t put myself out there like that.” She shook her head. “That’s the one thing I won’t do, Bri.” Coolly, she strolled from the bathroom.
***
Damon and Catrina were having a heated session on their kitchen counter. Like a dutiful wife, Catrina had gotten up to make her husband’s breakfast before he went to work. Damon arrived in the kitchen dressed only in the sleep pants Catrina had tugged off him the night before.
Preparing breakfast was forgotten. Damon was nibbling her jaw while his thumbs manipulated her nipples.
“You’re gonna be late,” she moaned.
“Not gonna- a
m.” He corrected and kissed her deeply.
“I’m trying…trying to be a good wife, mmm…fix your breakfast…”
“I prefer you be a good wife and let me take you back to bed.”
“You know you’re being too silly too early in the morning.” She laughed.
Damon hugged Catrina then and it didn’t take long for her to figure it was an act. His embrace had less to do with arousal and more to do with weariness.
“You don’t want to go to work, do you?” She felt him shake his head on her shoulder. “Baby, why?”
“Just tired Trina, that’s all.”
“No, no that’s not all.” She leaned back to study him and could see more than weariness in the darkness of his eyes. She cupped his face. “I want you to tell me what’s wrong.”
Sultriness crept into his gaze. “Damn girl, what fool would want to go to work with this at home.” He drew her robe further apart to reveal more of her breasts.
Catrina tugged the gauzy black fabric closed. “You can forget about seein’ any more of this unless you tell me what the hell is going on?”
Damon braced a hand on either side of Catrina against the counter and bowed his head.
Again, Catrina cupped her husband’s face and waited for his eyes to meet hers. “Doesn’t being your wife at least grant me the privilege of knowing a few of your secrets?” Her heart melted at the sight of his double dimpled smirk. Unfortunately, the gesture disappeared as quickly as it’d flashed. “Damon do you trust me?” She asked.
He nodded almost frantically. “With my life. More than anyone or anything.”
“Then why-?”
“Because I’m afraid.”
“Baby…of what?”
“I can’t lose you Trina. Ever,” he swallowed, raking his dark stare across her face and body. “I couldn’t handle that.”
She smoothed her hands up over his chest. “Baby why would you think you’d lose me?”
He looked sick. “My family- things they’ve done, things I’ve done to keep the peace…”
“Is this about what Houston did?”
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